Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals

[sportsfan2006]

Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals
Series Start: Friday July 21 2006. 8:10 EST
Kauffman Stadium Kansas City, Missouri

The Angels have been surging lately, thanks in part to rookie pitcher Jered Weaver. Oddly enough, LA has a better road record than at home, so the odds figure to favor the Angels here as they battle for the AL West title. Really, any pitching match-up in this series would favor the Angels as the Royals' lone starter as been Mark Redman. Kansas City is 1-3 against the Angels this year. Anaheim is reportedly trying to acquire Miguel Tejada from the Orioles, which would make the Angels and even more solid betting favorite.

Royals breakdown (updated thru July 11)
• 5th place American League Central Standings
• 31 wins and 56 losses ( home19-23/ road 12-33)

Team Leaders
• 2B M. Grudzielanek 77 GP’S, 3 HR’S, 27 RBI’S, .291 AVG.
• 1B D. Mientkiewicz 83 GP’S, 4 HR’S, 41 RBI’S, .286 AVG.
• P S. Elarton 19 GP’S, 3 W, 9 L, 5.38 ERA.

Injuries
• C Paul Bako missed the July 6 game with a partially torn right oblique muscle, and was placed on the disabled list July 7.

Angels breakdown ( updated thru July 11)
• 3rd place American league West Standings.
• 43 wins and 45 losses ( home 19-23/ road 24-22)

Team Leaders
• RF V. Guerrero 86 GP’S, 18 HR’S, 62 RBI’S, .299 AVG.
• SS O. Cabrera 84 GP’S, 6 HR’S, 47 RBI’S, .292 AVG.
• P J. Lackey 18 GP’S, 7 W, 5 L, 2.88 ERA.

Injuries
• LF Garret Anderson missed games on June 27-28 with a sore back, but returned to the lineup June 30.

[CaliforniaCajun]

This is a critical series for the Angels, because the Royals are having a bad year and the Angels schedule will get tougher in August.

[mojorisin71]

Ouch. The Angels gave up two early runs and committed four errors last night.